Madhya Pradesh: A tigress was rescued from Pench Tiger Reserve on Sunday evening and shifted to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. An Indian Air Force M17 helicopter was used to airlift the tigress, marking the first interstate translocation of a big cat from Madhya Pradesh.
The tigress is three years old. A senior forest officer from Pench Tiger Reserve said that Rajasthan had requested three tigresses from Madhya Pradesh and two from Maharashtra because of inbreeding problems among the tigers in their reserve. It is hoped that this translocation will improve the gene pool and ensure the survival of the tiger population.
The Pench team had been tracking the tigress for about a month. At one point, her radio collar fell off, leaving forest officials uncertain of her location. Before being airlifted, the tigress was tranquilized and examined by veterinary doctors. The M17 helicopter, under the guidance of wildlife experts, made a brief stop at Raja Bhoj Airport for refueling.
